Back to Blog

Ten Years Strong: Looking Back on a Decade of Elm Marketing Solutions

Ten years. It is a milestone that feels both like it flew by in the blink of an eye and carried a lifetime of learning, building, and growing.Before launching Elm Marketing Solutions back in 2016, I spent 16 years working in the accountancy arena. During that time, I met so many business owners whom I deeply admired, and I learned an enormous amount about how to run a business—including the ups, the downs, and the common pitfalls. I honestly never looked beyond my first year back then; my init...

Local Talent, New Beginnings: Launching the New Website for AMT Physiotherapy

Starting a business takes courage, vision, and the right team by your side. For Anna Thomas, founder of AMT Physiotherapy, the journey to launch looked a little different than originally planned. After qualifying as a physiotherapist, her initial goal was to serve within the NHS. However, facing public sector recruitment freezes, Anna made a bold choice: to take control of her career and launch her own practice right here in Consett.Building a brand from the ground up requires clear direction, h...

The Real Deal Small Grants Scheme

Derwentside Enterprise Agency CIC (DEA) launches small grants scheme, which will be known as The Real Deal, to support local businesses.DEA is pleased to announce the launch of its new, discretionary, Small Grants Scheme, designed to support businesses in the former Derwentside Local Authority area to deliver projects that will make a positive difference to the business.The scheme, known as The Real Deal, will provide grants of up to £...

Why Do Your Canva Designs Always Look Rubbish? (And How to Fix It in Person)

If you open Canva with high hopes, spend an hour dragging elements around, and step back only to realise your finished graphic looks... well, a bit rubbish, you are definitely not alone. Many business owners treat visual marketing as a chore, but when your graphics look cluttered, unbranded, or hastily thrown together, it quietly undermines your credibility. You know your business inside and out, but trying to translate that expertise into a clean, professional social media post, flyer, or clien...

Stepping Off Etsy and eBay: Why Your Own Website Saves You Money in the Long Run

Moving Beyond Etsy and eBay: Why Your Own Website Saves You MoneyIf you started out selling on marketplaces like Etsy, eBay, or Vinted, you already know the appeal. They make it simple to set up a shop front and get your products in front of active buyers without needing any technical know-how.When you are starting out, that built-in traffic is a lifesaver. But as your business grows, a familiar frustration creeps in. Between listing fees, transaction charges, final value cuts, and payment proce...

Why Professional Photography is Worth the Investment (And How to Prepare for Your Shoot)

Recently, I handed over the keys to my office for a morning to Lee Dobson Photography, who used the space for a photo shoot with his client, Moira Barnes. Watching the process unfold was a great reminder of just how much impact a set of well-planned, high-quality images can have on a business. (A huge thank you to Moira for giving us permission to share some of her fabulous photos!)In an age where smartphone cameras are better than ever, it is tempting to rely on quick phone snaps for your marke...

Why a Blog Belongs at the Heart of Your Marketing Strategy

When you look at your marketing to-do list, writing regular blog posts can easily feel like just another chore that eats into your week. Because you rarely see an instant rush of new clients from a single article, it is completely normal to wonder if it is actually worth the effort.To be honest, I used to think the same way. But after working closely with websites, SEO, and digital strategy for years, I have seen firsthand that a business blog is not just an optional extra—it really should be ...

The Marketing Think Tank: An Affordable, Highly Focused Way to Tackle Your Own Marketing

Running a micro-business, sole trader, or freelance practice means wearing every hat. When you are absorbed in daily operations and client work, marketing naturally gets pushed to the back burner. It becomes reactive—a rushed social media post or a panic-driven campaign when sales dip.Hiring a full-time marketer or paying agency retainers may not be an option for some SMEs. However, sustained growth requires intentional space to think, test, and strategise, thats why we're introducing the mark...

Why Owning Your E-Commerce Website Beats Third-Party Marketplace Fees

When you run a small business, keeping a close eye on your overheads isn't just good practice—it's essential for long-term growth.Recently, Lisa Carhart from A Yearning for Yarn reached out to discuss creating a dedicated website for her business. Like many small business owners, Lisa was primarily selling her yarn through third-party platforms like eBay and Vinted. However, steadily rising platform fees and the risk of relying entirely on external marketplaces meant it was time to explore alt...

Networking: Your Best Underrated Marketing Tool

Yesterday evening was the DoBusinessNetwork (DBN) summer barbecue at the Derwent Reservoir Sailing ClubHeading home afterwards, I was reflecting on what networking actually means from a marketing perspective.We talk a lot about digital strategy and algorithms in marketing, but face-to-face networking is often a highly underrated marketing tool. It’s the simplest, most honest way to build long-term awareness for your business.But the real value goes so much deeper than just trading referrals.Ru...

Investing in Your Business Growth: How Regional Funding Can Support Your Next Marketing Project

Taking the next step to scale your business often requires a significant investment in external expertise. Whether you need to redefine your marketing strategy, design a high-performing website, or build a consistent brand presence that speaks directly to your ideal client, cost can often be the primary barrier holding you back.However, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the North East are unaware that substantial grant funding is currently available to help offset these devel...

A New Digital Home for Roseberry Landscapes

When you collaborate with small business owners, you occasionally meet people whose dedication to their craft is completely infectious. That has certainly been my experience working with Paul and Andrew, the father-and-son team behind Roseberry Landscapes.We recently launched their brand-new website, and during the process of bringing their digital presence to life, I was reminded of what truly sets a great local business apart. With Roseberry Landscapes, it isn't just about their technical skil...

Why a ‘Living’ Website is Your Hardest Working Employee

When I talk to business owners in our community, the conversation often turns to the website. Usually, it’s followed by a bit of a sigh. "I’ve got one, Melanie, but it’s just sitting there. I haven't touched it in a year."I understand that pressure. You are busy running your business, and the idea of "content creation" feels like just another chore on an already long list. But I want to change how you look at your website. It shouldn't be a static digital business card; it should be a livi...

The "No-Jargon" Zone: Why the Person Behind the Business Matters

If we haven't met yet, hello! I’m Melanie (or Mel to most), the person behind Elm Marketing Solutions.I’ll let you in on a little secret: when I was starting this business, all the "clever" and "high-tech" names seemed to be taken. So, I kept it simple. I took my name, flipped the letters, and Elm Marketing Solutions was born.It might not be the most complex brand story you’ve ever heard, but it represents exactly how I work. In an industry that loves to hide behind "synergy" and "delivera...

The Market Stall vs. Your Own Shop: Why Third-Party Fees Might Be Costing Your Business Too Much

When you start selling a product online, third-party marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, or Amazon are brilliant for getting off the ground. They provide a ready-made platform and an established stream of visitors. However, as your sales volume grows, the financial dynamics of these platforms shift dramatically.Many business owners view building a dedicated e-commerce website as a significant, secondary expense. But when you look closely at the recurring costs of third-party platforms, independent own...

Building Websites That Our Clients Can Truly Own

Launched late last year, the website for Luxury Lets North East was designed to showcase high-end holiday rentals with a focus on visual appeal and a seamless user journey. As a local business owner myself, it has been particularly rewarding to support another venture right here in the region.When Jennifer approached Elm Marketing Solutions, the goal was to create a platform that felt as premium as the properties themselves while remaining practical behind the scenes. Since the initial launch, J...

Simple, Modern, and Stress-Free: Launching the New DDYP Website

A website should be a tool for growth, not a technical hurdle. This was the core focus during this morning's training session with Jackie and Hannah from Derwentside Detached Youth Project (DDYP) following the launch of their brand-new digital home.Efficiency Through Simple DesignFor many organisations, the dread of "breaking the website" leads to outdated information and missed opportunities. During our walkthrough, the primary takeaway was the ease of the transition. Jackie noted that the proc...

Streamlining Success: How a Digital Transition Transformed Event Management for Bishop Auckland Rugby Club

The hospitality and events side of a local sports club is often its heartbeat, providing vital revenue and a space for the community to gather. However, for Bishop Auckland Rugby Club (BARUFC), the manual process of managing these events had become a significant hurdle. Steve, the club manager, found himself caught in a cycle of administrative tasks that hindered growth rather than supporting it.The Challenge: Manual Processes and Missed OpportunitiesPreviously, the club’s approach to event sa...

Websites Made With Care

There is nothing more frustrating than feeling like your own website is working against you. I see it often: business owners who are brilliant at what they do, but feel stuck behind a screen that’s clunky, confusing, or just doesn't look the part.At Elm Marketing Solutions, I don’t just see a project; I see your hard work and your livelihood. I know that for many of you, your online shop isn't just a website—it’s how you pay the bills and grow your future.Why I Use Rocketspark for My Cli...

Stop Reinventing the Wheel: Finding Your Social Media Content in Plain Sight

We’ve all been there. You sit down to "do social media", the cursor blinks, and your mind goes blank. You feel stuck, searching for a spark of inspiration or a brand-new idea that will finally engage your audience.But here is a secret I share with my clients: You don’t need to reinvent the wheel.Strategy Over ComplexityOf course, you should always have a strategy and a clear focus to keep you moving towards your marketing goals. However, I often see business owners get caught in the trap of ...

The Best Kind of Thank You Note

In the world of marketing, we spend a lot of time talking about growth, engagement, and reach. But recently, I received a message that reminded me of the real human story behind every successful business.A client reached out to share some wonderful news: as of Monday, he is officially retired. After years of hard work, he sold his local business on Friday. It has been a huge success, and it was simply the right time for him to move on to his next chapter.He contacted me just to say thank you for...

Quality Over Quantity: How to Plan a "People-First" Content Calendar

In a recent blog, we explored how regular blogging acts as the engine for your website’s SEO. However, for many small and medium enterprises, the challenge isn’t just knowing that they should blog—it is knowing what to write to ensure every post adds genuine value.Google’s "Helpful Content" system is designed to reward websites that prioritise the user experience. This means that a strategy based on volume alone is no longer enough. To truly build authority, your content must be rooted i...

Launching the New Website for Derwentside Detached Youth Project (DDYP)

The most impactful work often happens away from the spotlight. At the heart of our local community are the dedicated individuals of the Derwentside Detached Youth Project (DDYP), who provide essential support to young people where it matters most: on the streets.The Dedication of Detached Youth WorkThe DDYP team embodies a quiet resilience. Their work is built on the expertise of detached youth work, proactively meeting young people outside of traditional structures. This approach allows them to...

Why Independence Matters: A Unique Digital Home for Jan Cook Wills & Trusts

In my ten years of designing websites, I’ve found that one of the biggest frustrations for business owners is feeling "locked out" of their own site. There is nothing more frustrating than needing to update a service or change a detail and having to wait days for a developer to do it for you.When I first started working with Jan Cook, this was our priority. Jan provides a highly personal and essential service—helping families secure their futures through Wills and Trusts. Her business is bui...

A New Digital Home for The Urban Chair Company

When Sue and Tony from The Urban Chair Company first got in touch, they had a clear goal: to take Tony’s decades of experience in the commercial furniture industry and turn it into a modern, sustainable business. They didn't just need a website; they needed a reliable tool that could handle the unique demands of selling high-quality, ex-display furniture online.Identifying the NeedTony has a deep passion for exceptional furniture and sustainable design. He saw a gap in the market for a busines...